The Montpelier and Soda Springs Ranger Districts of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest have begun offering Christmas tree tags for sale at their offices and from our selected vendors.

    Tree tag prices are $10/tree this year.

    Tags are limited to one per household and entitle the purchaser to harvest one sub-alpine fir tree, or balsam, as some folks call them, up to 12 feet in total tree height.

    If you desire a tree taller than 12 feet you must come by one of our District offices to purchase this permit.

    Sales outlets or vendors, with their days and times of operations for this year are:

    Broulim’s Supermarket of Montpelier (208) 847-0662, Monday – Saturday 7 a.m. until 10 p.m.

    Bob’s True Value (208) 852-2627, in Preston:  Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturdays 9 a.m. until 6 p.m.

    True Value Hardware of Soda Springs, (208) 547-4326: Monday to Friday 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    Quick Stop (208) 547-2363, in Soda Springs: 7 days a week 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.

    The Montpelier Ranger District office, (208) 847-0375, located at 322 North Fourth Street, in the Oregon – California Trail Center building, will be open Mondays through Fridays 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., exclusive of federal holidays.

    The Soda Springs Ranger District office, (208) 547-4356, located at 410 East Hopper Avenue, has the same office hours as the Montpelier office.

    Additional information is also available on our web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/ctnf/permits/christmastreepermits.

    Mail-in sales are offered this year from both offices in an effort to decrease fuel consumption, while offering an additional method for folks to purchase their tree tag.

    Mail-in sales must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope, along with a single party, personal check for the amount of $10/tree, made out to the U.S. Forest Service.

    Please do not send cash or any other form of payment.

    Call the specific Ranger District office for further details about our mail-in program.

    The Forest Service encourages Christmas tree cutters to harvest their trees as soon as possible due to the increased likelihood of snow levels and subsequent deteriorating road conditions the later we get into the season.

    The sooner folks can go out and cut their trees, the greater the possibility of getting into areas beyond where previous years cutting have limited the number and selection of trees available.

    Each Ranger District office should have updated road/access information.

    Each tag will have a map attached showing where cutting is permitted. All motorized travel restrictions are still in effect and will be enforced.

    Please refer to this map before you go out to cut your tree.

    An information sheet will also accompany the tree tag and will give some good tips as to how to identify the correct tree species, how to properly care for the tree and give it the best chance to last throughout the holiday season.